Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year's Eve

This is my favorite animated gif ever and I shall post it every year. The link above is to my last year's post. I went to the movies today to see The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and it was wonderful. I'm so glad I watched both seasons of The Bletchley Circle on PBS and was already familiar with Bletchley Park. Put it on your list of "must see" movies for 2015. See you next year. xo

Happy New Year 2015

I had to make a return at a small store today. The clerk wished me a Happy New Year and then she said, "The days are long but the years fly by." I haven't heard that one before but somehow it rings true.



Looking Up in Canterbury Cathedral

Isn't this a gorgeous photo? via 
I would much rather look up at this instead of a falling ball in Times Square. 
Teleport me there at midnight! 
Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Center Chimney Garden Cottage + Plans


I don't see a utility room for the furnace so maybe this is just a summer cottage. It's a lovely design, isn't it? It would be perfect for someone with no possessions or desire to have any. Smile. Maybe there could be a barn close by for all your stuff. I like the side porch with french door access from both the living room and bedroom. This could be a house to aspire to if I ever sell almost everything I own. Found here.

Beatrix Potter Original Watercolors "This Pig Went to Market"

Sotheby's London, English Literature, History, Children's Books and Illustrations, 10 July 2012. Potter, Beatrix, Complete Set of Four Watercolours (on Three Sheets) for 'This Pig Went to Market,' £61,250.

I keep finding more and more unknown Beatrix Potter artwork. I'm happy about that and hope you are too.




The illustrations were originally published in "Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes," published in 1922. The first drawings shows a colonial looking pig riding a horse and cart to the market while another pig lounges on the fence with the intent of staying home. To accompany the text "This Pig had a bit of Meat; This Pig had none," the second illustration shows a grandmotherly pig frying meat (we're hoping it's not pork), while another pig-companion peels potatoes. A third drawing brings the rhyme to a close, depicting an adorable weeping pig who can't find its way home.
View full-size images at the Sotheby's site here - use arrow > to see all three.
You are welcome.
xo

Monday, December 29, 2014

Enjoy the Christmas Lights

I'm still enjoying riding around after dark to see the Christmas lights. They will be going away soon so try to really enjoy them this week. This animated gif is quite magical, isn't it? via

Very Nice White Kitchen

I love this one and I can find nothing wrong with it. Very well thought out. via

Pie Crust Crimping Sampler

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Red Roof in The Highlands of Scotland

lovely photograph by david eustace
What a great pop of red.

Nantucket Residence: Pilgrim Court

I like it. It's not too over the top. This design on a small lot would work almost anywhere. I'm in! The Nantucket location is the icing on the cake.

Pilgrim Court residence, Nantucket. Real Estate Listing Here. Yikes.
It's a rainy Sunday here at the cottage and I can hear the heavy breathing near me from Webster's food coma. He had a big baked sweet potato chopped up in his breakfast kibble. I'm not sure where Tabitha is but it's either in her kitchen basket or in my bed. She went out early before the sun came up so she's down for the count for the rest of the morning. See you later. xo

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Twilight in the Snow

My favorite time of day is here. I always like to be home when it gets dark. Sometimes that's hard to do in the winter when the days are short but I usually manage. I'm definitely a winter person. This snow scene with the moon is lovely, isn't it? Have a great evening. xo via

Dining Room in An Old House

I love all the architectural elements in an old house, don't you? Board and batten doors, wide floor boards, winding staircase, and the furniture too. I love rush seat chairs and trestle tables. via

Friday, December 26, 2014

Extreme Case of Kitchen Love

It's pretty wonderful, isn't it? I wish the range hood were perfectly centered between the beams though. via

Happy Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers, in the United Kingdom, Barbados, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other former British colonies. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December. Google images.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas

Hope you got something you love from Santa. Here's my present to all of you who love cats. Click here and be entertained by all of the best cat images anywhere. You won't be able to stop looking! xo

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Rabbits and Christmas Buns by Beatrix Potter

Merry Christmas and Plenty of Buns
An entirely unknown drawing showing an inventive use of lettering on the jars, bag and label on the set of keys. The message reads: “A Merry Christmas and Plenty of Buns H.B.P.”
Beatrix Potter's full name was Helen Beatrix Potter. Since her mother's name was also Helen, she went by Beatrix.
Fine ink and watercolor drawing heightened with gouache signed lower right [within key label]. Sold at Sotheby's London July 2008 for 42,050 GBP 
Happy Christmas Eve. I'm having dinner with friends. See you on Christmas morning. xo

Christmas Eve -- Vintage Images







Keep working and wrapping and cooking and decorating. You'll make it! I'll keep doing the same. xo

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Gorgeous Photo

Wow. It's got Christmas Colors of Red and Green. via

Boxwood Garden with Vegetables

I love this low hedge which defines the planting area. via The whole side yard appears to be a kitchen garden. I hope that side door opens to the kitchen for easy harvesting.

A Hot Radiator is a Beautiful Thing


Tabitha is becoming quite the expert at finding all the warm places in our cottage. When I woke up this morning she was in my bed. When she came in from the rain after breakfast, she warmed herself in front of the refrigerator. I guess the fan must exhaust warm air at floor level. After she defrosted, she jumped up on this chair in the kitchen and there she will sleep until she gets hungry again. I added the decorations and text with PicMonkey, my favorite free photo editing app on my computer. See you later. xo

Monday, December 22, 2014

Sheep in the Snow

I love their white smiling faces and pink noses. I had a pretty productive day today and hope you did too. Tucking in pretty soon to watch some recorded programs. xo

Ode to A Pear

This photo is gorgeous! via

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Great Powder Room

I like the framing of the mirror that also acts as a backsplash for the vanity and wide mounts for the sconces. Actually, I like it all. Designed by Catalano Architects. Image found here.

My Kitchen, A Larger View

Now you can see the scale of my little Christmas scene on my kitchen counter. It really doesn't interfere with food preparation at all. Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Decor on My Kitchen Counter

Built around a favorite card. An old ironstone platter is the background to hide the electrical outlet.

A Small Compact Garden

There's no wasted space in this small garden! It must be lovely from the upper level. I love the Chippendale railing. It's cold and gray today here at the cottage. Enjoy the last weekend before Christmas and enjoy the hustle and bustle. xo

Friday, December 19, 2014

So Many Copper Pots

There's nothing more beautiful in a kitchen than a huge collection of copper pots. via

Above: Julia Child hung her copper pots on a pale blue pegboard. Image via the Smithsonian.

Lapland Snowscape

So beautiful -- and what a great composition. Pinterest

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Beatrix Potter Bunnies in Winter

I found another snow scene with Peter Rabbit that I haven't seen before. We can never get enough images by Beatrix Potter, can we? via

MR. TURNER preview - Video posted by the Tate.

Join director Mike Leigh and actor Timothy Spall for a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought Turner to life for the big screen. In this short video, they focus on how they recreated the great British painter’s Queen Street Gallery.

I spent all of last evening watching numerous videos about this period film. I want to have all the background possible before I see the movie. Timothy Spall, the actor who portrays J. M. W. Turner, took painting lessons for two years in preparation for the role. 



If you can't see the video above, click here. Watch full screen for the best viewing experience.

View another article posted by The Royal Academy - when the link opens, scroll down for a fabulous 14 minute video and discover how the makers of 'Mr. Turner' recreated scenes at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in this fascinating behind-the-scenes featurette.

I hope you too will now be as excited as I am about this upcoming movie that is getting rave reviews. Your art lesson for the day is over now. xo

Monday, December 15, 2014

Preening Pelican

I've never thought pelicans were beautiful until I saw this photo.

Chickens Wearing Hand Knits

Now I've seen everything. These girls look pretty happy, don't they? Do you knit for your flock? Images found here. Happy Monday.





Sunday, December 14, 2014

Starry Night

I love a good winter sky full of stars. via My stars are out too but there are lots of clouds. I just got back from a walk with the wonder dog. Have a great Sunday evening. xo